If you are like most nature and landscape photographers I know, long about late summer you’re really looking forward to the changing of the seasons and hitting the trail for some fall color photography. Here are some tips for creating wall-worthy photos of colorful autumn scenes.
1. Timing is Critical: Research and plan your photography for the peak of fall foliage in your desired location. Different regions experience peak colors at different times. In mountainous regions, the peak will vary according to elevation. Peak color can also vary from year to year. Check this map for current and predicted color throughout the U.S.A.
2. Compose with Contrast: Look for scenes where the vivid fall colors contrast with other elements like evergreen trees, water bodies, or even architecture. This creates visually striking images.
3. Look for the Light: Take advantage of the soft, warm light during the golden hours of early morning and late afternoon to capture the vibrant fall colors. Deep forest scenes usually work best with the soft light of overcast or cloudy days. On blue sky days, try for the sunburst effect using an aperture of f/16-22 and a wide-angle lens. Fall color always appears richer when leaves are back or side-lit.
4. Use a Polarizing Filter: A polarizer can help reduce glare and enhance color saturation, making the autumn hues pop even more. Rotate the filter while viewing the scene to see the effect. It’s often best to back off a bit from maximum polarization.
5. Macro and Close-Ups: Photograph the patterns, texture, and intricate details of leaves. Fallen leaves on the forest floor are often wonderful subjects. Be on the lookout also for mushrooms, which often pop up after early autumn rains.
6. Reflections: Look for reflections of fall foliage in rivers, lakes, ponds, or even puddles to add depth and interest to your photographs. Use your telephoto lens to make abstract images of bright colors reflected in water.
7. Foreground Elements: Incorporate interesting foreground elements like rocks, fallen leaves, or even a path to lead the viewer’s eye into the frame for the classic near-far landscape composition. S-curves make strong and dynamic leading lines.
8. Experiment with White Balance: Adjusting the white balance can dramatically affect the mood of your image. Experiment with warmer tones by selecting the Cloudy or Shade white balance setting in your camera to enhance the autumn feel.
9. Shoot in RAW: This format allows for greater flexibility in post-processing, especially when it comes to adjusting colors, tones, and contrast. Watch your RGB histogram to make sure you’re not clipping the red or blue channels. It’s best to underexpose and bring up the shadows in processing that to risk blowing out the highlights.
10. Be patient and Persistent: Weather conditions can be unpredictable, and light changes depending on the time of day. Waiting for the right conditions or returning to a location multiple times will produce the best images.
Ready to go out and make some great fall color photos? If you live in the Pacific Northwest, here are some of my favorite locations in Oregon and Washington.
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Magnificent fall images!
Thank you, Suzanne!